Gold Coast Grapples with Short-Term Rental Regulation: What Happens Next and the Key Decisions Ahead

The Gold Coast City Council has announced it will review its current short-term rental regulations, sparking debate among residents, property owners, and tourism operators. This move comes as the city experiences a construction boom and prepares for the 2032 Olympics, with venues planned for Coomera and Robina.

The review of short-term rental regulations matters now because it directly impacts the livelihoods of thousands of residents who rely on tourism for income, as well as the quality of life for those living in areas with high concentrations of short-term rentals, such as Surfers Paradise and Main Beach. The council must balance the needs of these stakeholders with the city's goal of recovering its tourism industry, which was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Organisations like the Gold Coast Tourism Corporation and the Surfers Paradise Chamber of Commerce will be closely watching the council's decisions.

Locally, the regulation of short-term rentals is a pressing issue in neighbourhoods like Burleigh Heads, where residents have complained about noise and disruption from party houses. The council has already introduced measures to address these concerns, including a 24/7 complaint hotline and increased enforcement of noise restrictions. However, with the rise of platforms like Airbnb, the council recognises that more needs to be done to ensure that short-term rentals do not negatively impact residential areas. The light rail extension, which will connect the city's major hubs, including Griffith University and the Gold Coast University Hospital, is also expected to increase the demand for short-term rentals in areas like Southport and Labrador.

Regulation by the Numbers

According to data from the Gold Coast City Council, there are currently over 12,000 short-term rental properties in the city, with the majority located in areas like Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. The council has reported that it received over 1,500 complaints about short-term rentals in the past year, with the majority related to noise and disruption. The average nightly rate for a short-term rental property on the Gold Coast is around $250, with prices soaring to over $1,000 per night during peak season. As of June 2026, the council has issued 250 fines to property owners for non-compliance with short-term rental regulations, with fines ranging from $500 to $5,000.

As the council moves forward with its review of short-term rental regulations, residents and property owners can expect a series of community consultations and public meetings. The council will also be seeking feedback from stakeholders, including tourism operators and residents' groups. In the coming months, the council will release a discussion paper outlining its proposed changes to the regulations, which will include measures to improve compliance and enforcement. Residents and property owners are advised to stay informed about the review process and to have their say on the proposed changes, which will shape the future of short-term rentals on the Gold Coast.